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West Central Illinois still on top for state’s corn production

By Ryne Turke on May 13 at 1:17pm

West Central Illinois continues to lead the state in corn planted and emerged as corn production skyrocketed this past week.

According to this week’s USDA crop report, local farmers have planted 92 percent of their corn crop, which is 14 percent higher than the state average. Sixty-five percent of West Southwest District farmers are also seeing their crop emerge. The state average for corn emerged is 36 percent.

USDA crop statistician Todd Ballard was impressed with corn production this week, as the state is now above the five year average.

“There for a while last week we were behind average,” says Ballard.

“With the warmer temperatures last week we are at about 36 percent now compared to the 32 percent five year average. Corn is really making good progress.”

He thinks numbers will keep improving as long as Mother Nature allows it.

“They still have a little ways to go. If it stays a little bit drier they should be able to make pretty good progress this week.”

Similar to corn production, West Southwest soybean numbers are above average. While Illinois has planted 26 percent of the soybean crop, the local district has put 42 percent of the crop in the ground.